North Ronaldsay

North Ronaldsay is the northernmost island in the Orkney archipelago. 

The lighthouse was the third to be built by the Commissioners, preceded only by Kinnaird Head and Mull of Kintyre. It was engineered by Edinburgh lampmaker Thomas Smith in 1789. It used the catadioptric or reflecting system, the most advanced lighting system of the time, which consisted of a cluster of oil-burning lamps with copper reflectors. 

North Ronaldsay possesses what is still the highest land-based lighthouse in the British Isles, soaring to a height of 139ft. It dominated the low lying crofts, its revolving beam sweeping over the lighting up and the land as well as the sea, to the benefit of night visitors.

The lighthouse became automated on 30 March 1998. Tours of the Lighthouse are operated by the North Ronaldsay Lighthouse & Visitor Centre. Their website can be found here: www.northronaldsay.co.uk

VISIT WEBSITE
Established
1789
Accomodation
Yes
Height
42m
Light height
43m
Light width
24nm
Automated
Yes
Owner/operator
Northern Lighhtouse Board/North Ronaldsay Trust

Lighthouses closest to North Ronaldsay in the Route:

Shown in straight lines

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If you are in any way responsible for one or more lighthouses, you can contact us to have these lighthouses included on this website. The goal is to have as many lighthouses from all coastal nations in Europe placed on the map, so that many visitors can enjoy navigating the map or physically visiting the lighthouse stations.

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